This document discusses several of the author's favorite animals: giraffes, sea turtles, cheetahs, kiwi birds, and swans. Giraffes live in Africa and have long necks to reach leaves on tall trees. Sea turtles live in all oceans except the Arctic and their numbers are declining in the wild. Cheetahs are the fastest land animal and can run up to 110 km/h, with light brown fur covered in black spots. Kiwi birds live only in New Zealand and are nocturnal, sleeping during the day despite being flightless. Swans live near lakes and rivers, can fly, and have white feathers.